Bord Bia - Your Food is our Passion Manifesto

Read more: Bord Bia - Your Food is our Passion Manifesto

HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest November 2nd

It is the end of the road for old HortiTrends but we hope that we have something better to offer.

We are launching a new HORTI TALK forum that will allow you to discuss many of the important issues that are effecting our sectors today. Signup and get your own topic going!

We have also got a new EVENTS SECTION that will allow you to promote a trade or training event and also allow you to manage event ticket sales and registration.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest November 2nd

Press Award Horti Fair for Semi-Closed Greenhouse

A jury representing the international press presented the Press Award to a consortium of AVAG companies for its Next Generation Semi-Closed Greenhouse. The Next Generation Semi-Closed Greenhouse represents a modest additional investment and achieves a 20% to 30% reduction in energy consumption by using a heat pump and mechanical dehumidification.

Read more: Press Award Horti Fair for Semi-Closed Greenhouse

Farm Entrepreneurship and Leadership Programme

For entrepreneurial farmers and those who aspire to be leaders in the agri-food sector

Overview
In collaboration with industry, the DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship has developed a programme focusing on key areas to help drive sustained growth in the agri-food sector.

Read more: Farm Entrepreneurship and Leadership Programme

Aidan Cotter of Bord Bia Talks About Origin Green

Read more: Aidan Cotter of Bord Bia Talks About Origin Green

EPA To Establish National Inspection Plan

Recent legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a National Inspection Plan for domestic waste water treatment systems, including septic tanks.The Inspection Plan is currently being developed and it is intended that a risk-based approach to inspections will commence in mid-2013. In the interim, the EPA is consulting and engaging with the public on the likely approach to inspections and how people can prepare in advance.

Read more: EPA To Establish National Inspection Plan

International Horti Fair and FloraHolland Trade Fair Aalsmeer to Join Forces

The International Horti Fair and FloraHolland Trade Fair Aalsmeer will be pairing up in the form of a new combined fair that retains their own sharply defined profiles. In 2013, visitors can attend both trade fairs at a single location at FloraHolland in Aalsmeer.

Read more: International Horti Fair and FloraHolland Trade Fair Aalsmeer to Join Forces

Build Your Own Wind Turbine with Hugh Piggot

Monday 13 to Saturday 18 August 2012 | Glas Learning | Ennisnag, Kilkenny | €350 | 056 773 000. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn ‘first hand’ from the master himself! Glas Learning also have a Domestic Energy Management course booking now.

Read more: Build Your Own Wind Turbine with Hugh Piggot

300 Million Farmland Birds Lost Since 1980

The latest scientific data brought together by BirdLife International and the European Bird Census Council show that common farmland birds continue to decline in the EU: 300 million farmland birds have been lost since 1980. The news was released last week, on the eve of a major civil society debate organised by the European Commission and the new Cypriot Presidency of the EU on Friday 13, in which decision makers and civil society organisations discussed support for the so-called “green reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)”.

Read more: 300 Million Farmland Birds Lost Since 1980

FDII Says that the Right Policies will Ensure Food Sector will Deliver €12bn Exports by 2020

Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII), the IBEC group that represents the food and beverage sector, today published a new report 'Sharing the Harvest: The Food and Drink Sector Jobs Dividend', which provides in-depth analysis of the impact the agri-food sector has on the wider economy. 230,000 jobs are currently linked to the sector which spends €7.9bn in the Irish economy on goods and services every year.

Read more: FDII Says that the Right Policies will Ensure Food Sector will Deliver €12bn Exports by 2020

TCD Botany Centenery Celebration - David Webb 'The Man and the Myth'

Celebrating the life and work of Professor David A. Webb on Friday 16th November 2012 in the Botany Department, Trinity College Dublin, the adjacent SNIAM Building and the Dining Hall.

Read more: TCD Botany Centenery Celebration - David Webb 'The Man and the Myth'

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2013

ECO-UNESCO's Young Environmentalist Awards is an all-Ireland environmental awards programme that recognises and rewards young people who raise environmental awareness and improve the environment. Click here for further information.

Read more: ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2013

Views Sought on How to Improve Ireland's Environment

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is seeking the views of the public on how the Agency should prioritise activities over the next number of years to protect and improve Ireland's environment. The public consultation process offers interested parties the opportunity to submit suggestions on the EPA's fourth formal strategy before publication later this year.

Read more: Views Sought on How to Improve Ireland's Environment

Price of Potatoes Soared 177% Over 12 months

The Department of Agriculture said this year's wet weather conditions and the consequent high incidence of blight, compounded by the inability to spray during wet weather, greatly affected potato yield which forced prices upwards. "Conversely, prices were relatively low last year due to a bumper crop," a spokesman said.

Read more: Price of Potatoes Soared 177% Over 12 months

Conference Hears of Low Interest by Farmers in Farm Diversification

Only a tiny proportion of farmers are interested in a diversified business according to the results of Teagasc research. The research showed that expanding the farm business or securing an off-farm job are the main economic strategies preferred by farmers.

Read more: Conference Hears of Low Interest by Farmers in Farm Diversification

Ireland: Aldi Reaps Benefit of Tough Times

Aldi's share of the Irish grocery market has grown by 30% over the last year to 6%, with rival Dunnes Stores' share falling by 7.8% to 21% giving it the second largest market share behind Tesco's 28.6% — up 2.5%. Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland analysis on market share for the 12 weeks ending 30 Sept 2012, show that Aldi has posted market share growth of almost 30% year-on-year, which Kantar says is an all-time record for the German discounter.

Read more: Ireland: Aldi Reaps Benefit of Tough Times

Horti Fair Continuing to Pursue New Course

The Flower Catwalk, the HortiSeminars and the Horti Fair Experience are just some of the highlights featured in Horti Fair 2012. This year's biggest international trade show for Technology, Innovation and Inspiration in Horticulture will take place in the Amsterdam RAI from 30 October to 2 November inclusive.

Read more: Horti Fair Continuing to Pursue New Course

Minister O’Dowd Launches Invasive Species Smart Phone App

Minister Fergus O'Dowd TD (right) and Mr Brendan O'Mahony, Chairman of IFI (left), at the new invasive species disinfection facility at the Galway Weir.

Minister Fergus O’Dowd launched a smart phone app to help fight the war against aquatic invasive species and pathogens in Ireland at the famous Galway Weir yesterday, along with a disinfection facility for salmon anglers at the Inland Fisheries Ireland fishery; and a handy and durable set of invasive species identification cards on a key ring as part of a three pronged initiative to protect Ireland’s wonderful natural resources.

Read more: Minister O’Dowd Launches Invasive Species Smart Phone App

Brussels Rules Against Seed Diversity

The choice of what crops are available for gardeners to grow has been dealt yet another restrictive blow, according to leading organic charities Garden Organic and the Soil Association. In a recent ruling in the European Court of Justice in Brussels(1) a small French seed company, seeking to defend its sales of old unregistered varieties of vegetables, lost its case. The company, Kokopelli, argued that the basis of the EU Marketing Directive was unlawful and curtailed the right to trade seed freely.

Read more: Brussels Rules Against Seed Diversity

National Organic Awards 2012 Award Categories

Award Categories

• Best Organic Confectionery and Baked Goods
  To include all flour and sugar confectionery and bread and cake mixes etc.
• Best Organic Grocery
  To include condiments, cereals etc.
• Best Organic Dairy Product
  To include yogurt, cheese and eggs etc.

  Read more: National Organic Awards 2012 Award Categories